curiouskid55

Went to Griffith Park Zoo parking lot early Sat morning with rain threatening to run some cornering drills. Worked out pretty good, there wasn't a single car there when I started. Was able to get up to 20-22 then take flat 90 degree turns around the planters the trees are in. Had a decent rectangular circuit. Did about 12 miles of drilling in the parking lot going both directions. Kept going in the rain since it was likely to rain on race day. Built up some confidence and got used to how much room is needed to corner around twenty mph.

Race day Sunday morning. Cat 5's start at 7 got up at 4 get up and going have breakfast at the Coral in Burbank, becoming race day tradition. Off to Dominguez Hills around 5:15 get there about 6. It is dark and below 40 . Jeepers its f'n cold.Stay in car until more people show up then get out to warm up.

Course is open so about 15 minutes before race everyone is taking laps to finish warm up. Solidify confidence in the corners. To the line for pre-race Cat 5 seminar then one more warm up lap and back to the line. Get up clost to the front inside and the whistle and we're rolling.

Easy accelleration to first turn, through on inside no problem continue to accelerate toawrds turn two, pack is up to speed and try to settle in for a good race.

Doing well not struggling but still not riding smart enough. I waste a lot of energy being out of the draft and standing to close gaps. Then over accelerate and coast to not over run leaders. Wind up all over the pack. Near the front , all the way back. inside outside you name it. Wasting a lot of energy being impatient passing for no reason. Losing position for no reason.Following the wrong guy passing the wrong guy . Using alot of energy as the pack surges through turns. Just so much going on. Just reacting not thinking.

Any way having fun staying with the pack and attacking the corners. Feel really good good much more comfortable in close riding and cornering on inside . Two laps to go.

One lap to go . into turn one and I dont know what happened. As we are about mid stretch to turn two and everybody is gone. I'm not sure but I guess I didnt notice the acceleration because of the guy I was following . Now they are way gone crap. I turn it on but way too late. I never get off the saddle. What are you sitting there on your butt for? Saving it for next week?

Any way at least I can see the pack this week when they finish and I am not too far behind. Learning lots of good lessons also. And I finally achieved my three primary goals in a race. Survive. Finish. Don't Finish Last. Next race I am going to add "Finish in the Pack" to primary goals.